Two More of the Texas Dems that Fled to DC Have Tested Positive for COVID as Kamala Harris Declines to Quarantine Following Meeting

According to the Texas House Democratic Caucus, two more Texas Democrats who travelled to Washington D.C. in an attempt to halt the passage of a voting integrity bill have tested positive for COVID-19.

The positive tests bring the total to five and come despite the fact that they are all fully vaccinated.

It a statement, the Caucus said, “In light of some positive Covid-19 tests over the weekend, the House Democratic Caucus has decided to go beyond CDC guidance and provide daily rapid tests for all Members and staff in Washington DC for this week.”

Vice President Kamala Harris met with the lawmakers last Tuesday after they came to the nation’s capital and has declined to quarantined as it was determined that she was not in close contact with those who have tested positive so far.

Symone Sanders, Harris’s senior adviser and chief spokesperson, said in a statement late Saturday, “On Tuesday, July 13th, Vice President Harris met with members of the Texas state legislature who are temporarily in Washington, D.C.”

Sanders explained, “Earlier today, it was brought to our attention that two of the members at that meeting tested positive for COVID-19. Based on the timeline of these positive tests, it was determined the Vice President and her staff present at the meeting were not at risk of exposure because they were not in close contact with those who tested positive and therefore do not need to be tested or quarantined.”

“The Vice President and her staff are fully vaccinated,” Sanders added, despite the fact that those who have contracted it so far were also fully vaccinated.

A tweet from Harris on Tuesday shows her speaking to the Democrats and in the tweet, Harris said, “Texas lawmakers are fighting for the rights of all Texans—and all Americans—to raise their voice through their vote. Today, we met for the second time to discuss the path forward.”

Texas lawmakers are fighting for the rights of all Texans—and all Americans—to raise their voice through their vote.

Today, we met for the second time to discuss the path forward. pic.twitter.com/cFbXHZU7cx

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 14, 2021

From The Hill:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that people who have been exposed to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 do not have to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated and are not showing symptoms. They should, however, monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the exposure.

The Texas Democrats also met with Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

Schumer’s office told The Hill that it “was informed that none of the fully vaccinated members who tested positive were in contact with our office.”

Manchin “was not exposed to any member who tested positive,” an aide to the West Virginia Democrat told The Hill.